Glomalin Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Reproduction, Lifestyle and Dynamic Role in Global Sustainable Agriculture for Future Generation

Glomalin, a type of glycoprotein produced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the phylum Glomeromycota, contributes to the mitigation of soil degradation. Moreover, AM fungi and glomalin are highly correlated with other soil physico-chemical parameters and are sensitive to changes in the environment; also, they have been recommended for monitoring the recovery of degraded soil or stages of soil degradation. AM fungi are commonly known as bio-fertilisers. Moreover, it is widely believed that the inoculation of AM fungi provides tolerance to host plants against various stressful situations like heat, salinity, drought, metals and extreme temperatures. AM fungi, being natural root symbionts, provide essential plant inorganic nutrients to host plants, thereby improving growth and yield under unstressed and stressed regimes. The role of AM fungi as a bio-fertiliser can potentially strengthen plants’ adaptability to changing environment. They also improve plant resilience to plant diseases and root system development, allowing for better nutrient absorption from the soil. As a result, they can be utilised as both a biofertilizer and a biocontrol agent. Present manuscript represents the potential of AM fungi as biostimulants can probably strengthen plants’ ability to change the agriculture system for green technology

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ALGINATE CHITOSAN CROSSLINKED NANOPARTICLES BEARING DRUG FOR THE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Objective: Delivery of anticancer molecule to the liver remains a “holy grail” in molecular medicine and nanobiotechnology with conventional therapy, as conventional cancer chemotherapy does not prove effective as drug molecule does not reach to the target site at therapeutic concentration. Tumor vasculature differs from the vasculature of normal tissue both in morphology and biochemistry. Most of these differences appear too related to angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones). For the present study nanoparticles (NPs) were chosen as a delivery system, because they have many advantages, e. g. they can pass through the smallest capillary vessels because of their ultra-tiny volume, can penetrate cells and tissue gap to arrive at, pH, ion and/or temperature sensitivity of materials, can improve the utility of drugs and reduce toxic side effects. Methods: PLGA (poly lactide co glycolic acid) was used for the preparation of NPs because of its biodegradability and biocompatibility. It degrades by hydrolysis of ester linkages in the presence of water in to two monomers lactic acid and glycolic acid. There are a number of ligands available for hepatic delivery, among them lactobionic acid (containing galactose moiety) was selected for present work. Preparation of plain nanoparticles was carried out using emulsification–diffusion method. Optimization of the polymer concentration is the first step during the study and it was performed by varying the polymer concentration where as keeping other variables constant. The prepared formulation was optimized on the basis of particle size and polydispersity index. Amount of drug was optimized on the basis of particle size and percentage entrapment efficiency. Results: Particle size and zeta potential of the nanoparticle were determined by zetasizer showed that particles are in nano range (blow 200 nm) and have acceptable range of zeta potential. Shape and surface morphology were determined by TEM and SEM analysis. The conjugation of lactobionic acid with PLGA polymer was proved by FTIR. The in vitro release profiles of entrapped drug from formulations were determined using dialysis membrane. For stability studies, the LDNPs (conjugated NPs) are stored at the temperatures 4±1 °C and room temperature. Human hepatoma cell line HepG2 by SRB assay was selected and it clearly suggests a dose dependent cytotoxicity response i.e. decrease in cell survival fraction with increasing concentration of drug. The in vivo study are important in evaluating the targeting efficacy of designed dosage form and also helps in establishing the correlation between the results obtained from in vitro experimentation to that from in vivo studies. The formulations were administered by tail vein to mice of four groups Group I: PBS 7.4 (control); Group II: 5-FU solution; Group III: DNPs; Group IV: LDNPs. Conclusion: The proposed targeting strategy is expected to enhance the therapeutic index of conventional anticancer drug as well as reduce its cytotoxic effects to normal cells

Statistical behavior of ozone in urban environment

This paper analyzes the statistical behavior of the ground level ozone concentrations (GLO) observed at a major traffic intersection in Delhi. Five sets of data, i.e. summer (May to July, high solar radiation data), winter (November to January, low solar radiation data), spring (March to April), autumn (September to October), and the entire year have been used to study the seasonal variation in the statistical behavior of GLO. Appropriate statistical distribution form has been identified from alternative candidate distribution models using the goodness-of-fit methods and parameters have been estimated using the method of maximum likelihood. The yearly, winters, spring, and summer datasets were found to follow the log-normal distribution model, while autumn dataset followed Weibull distribution. Analysis shows that ozone concentrations also show similar statistical behavior like other air pollutants and fit mainly to the log-normal distribution as reported for other pollutants in different studies. The seasonality of the datasets shows higher skewness during summers due to longish tail of the distribution mainly on account of higher photo–chemical activity. The probability density functions corresponding to the five datasets were used to compute the probability of exceedence of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and return period of violation of standards. The distributions have also been used to classify the study region under various air quality descriptor categories. The region is found to violate the air quality compliance criteria 17% of the recorded times in the year. Alternative measures have been discussed to reduce the precursor emissions in order to achieve the air quality goals

In Vitro Antioxidant and Ex Vivo Anticataract Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Cordia obliqua Willd

Cordia obliqua has a long history of use in the treatment of cataract and other eye-related problems in Indian traditional medicine. High oxidative stress is one of the major underlying causes of cataract which results in the precipitation of natural protein present in the lenses with aging. This research has been carried out to determine the anti-cataract activity of Cordia obliqua by performing various antioxidant techniques such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydrogen peroxide, ABTS radical cation and Ferric reducing antioxidant potential studies in oxidative stress–induced ex vivo cataract model. Results of the study conducted in the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Cordia obliqua revealed the presence of various phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, etc. Total phenol and total flavonoid content was found to be 53 ± 3.21and 26.12 ± 2.54% respectively, which revealed that the plant contains a good amount of these compounds and hence possesses good antioxidant activity. Furthermore, IC50 values obtained from all the methods gave strong evidence regarding the antioxidant potential of this plant. Anti-cataract activity was also investigated using goat eye lenses and promising results were obtained which speak voluminously about its anti-cataract potential and support its well-prescribed use. Results obtained with this study clearly supported the significant antioxidant potential and anticataract activity of this plant. Further, this plant demands great attention for the development of suitable novel dosage forms for the effective treatment of cataract. Keywords: Cordia obliqua, cataract, High oxidative stres

FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LOSARTAN LOADED SELF EMULSIFYING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Objective: The object of the present work was the advancement and portrayal of losartan stacked self-emulsifying drug conveyance framework for the successful administration of hypolipidemia (RSEDDS) for further developing bioavailability, to upgrade dissolvability, delays home time, give an adequate measure of medication to an objective site and supported the arrival of medication. Methods: Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System was ready by the basic emulsification method. Six clumps, for example, F1 to F6 were ready by shifting the convergence of oils, surfactant, co-surfactant, and co-dissolvable and assessed for the different boundaries, for example, Optical microscopy, Assessment of self emulsification, Emulsification time, Droplet size investigation, Zeta Potential Measurement, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Viscosity Determination, Drug content, Percentage conveyance, in vitro disintegration study and solidness study. The SEDDS was upgraded and group F5 was additionally utilized. Results: The medication content of chosen clump F5 was viewed as 97.65±1.37 %; it proposes that the technique for exemplification was powerful. As per in vitro study, around 55.13 % of the medication was delivered after 120 min which showed supported arrival of medication and there were no critical changes seen in the actual appearance, drug content, and in vitro drug release during the stability study. Conclusion: This research presumed that the SEDDS are an expected competitor as a supported delivery drug conveyance, effectively expanding bioavailability and designated conveyance of medication

Can a “Blue Sky” return to Indian megacities?

Deterioration of air quality in Indian megacities (Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata) is much more significant than that observed in the megacities of developed countries. Densely packed high-rise buildings restrict the self-cleaning capabilities of Indian megacities. Also, the ever growing number of on-road vehicles, resuspension of the dust, and anthropogenic activities exacerbate the levels of ambient air pollution, which is in turn breathed by urban dwellers. Pollution levels exceeding the standards on a regular basis often result in a notable increase in morbidity and mortality. This article discusses the challenges faced by Indian megacities in their quest for sustainable growth, without compromising the air quality and urban way of life